Studio Policy and Contract
    Revised August  2002

1. Lesson Fees-  
The charges are based on a quarterly rate of $240.00 for 30 minute lessons, $360.00 for 45 minute lessons, and $480.00 for hour lessons.  This quarterly rate may be divided into three monthly payments of $80.00 for half hour lessons, $120.00 for forty five minute lessons, and $160.00 for hour lessons.  Please make checks payable to Diane Ellison.  This amount remains the same regardless of the number of lessons during the month.  Each quarter will have a minimum of ten lessons, one makeup week and one Flute Party.  I will provide the student with a quarterly calendar in advance, so all vacation weeks, make-up lesson times and possible recitals or Flute Parties will be listed.  The studio follows the Jefferson County School district calendar and observes the same Christmas and Spring Breaks.

2.Registration Fees-
For each student, there will be a $40.00 registration fee.  This fee will be used to cover operation costs of the studio ( gas, electric, bathroom supplies, janitorial services ), music library ,  photocopying, prizes, magazine subscriptions, membership costs ( required for teachers to have students  participate in various events), and any other materials used.  This fee reserves a lesson time for the coming year and is indicative of your commitment to one year of lessons.  This fee is non-refundable and will not be returned upon termination of lessons.  After paying this fee, the student is allowed to borrow music or tapes from my library.  However, any lost items must be paid for.  The registration fee is due immediately upon starting lessons, and thereafter will be charged annually at the beginning of the school year.

3.Late Fees-
Payment for the month is due at the first lesson of the month, when you receive your invoice.    If you are absent for the first lesson of the month, your invoice will be sent by mail.  Your payment should be received by the 10th of the month, whether by mail or delivered in person.  Any payment received after the 10th of the month will be subject to a $20.00 late fee, unless other arrangements are made in writing.  NO LESSONS WILL BE GIVEN until payment is received.  If failure to pay on time occurs more than twice, you will be asked to pay by quarter.  Bouncing a check is a felony in Colorado and includes a one hundred dollar fine in addition to the original amount.  A $25.00 fee will be assessed for any check returned by the bank due to insufficient funds.  If payment is not received, legal recourse will be taken.  Bouncing a check will result in CASH ONLY tuition payment thereafter and being placed on the studio probation list.

4.Make-up Lessons-
 The only lessons that will be made up are those missed due to contagious illness, hazardous weather conditions, or death in the family.  There will be NO make-up lessons if you do not show up for your lesson, or are not prepared for your lesson.  If you miss or forget a lesson or make-up lesson, you forfeit that lesson.  Please try to notify me as far in advance as possible if you will not be at your lesson.  ( preferably 24 hours before.)  No attempt will be made to make up lessons without 24 hour prior notification.  If you need a make-up lesson, it must be scheduled during the designated make-up days on your calendar.  You may make-up only ONE lesson per quarter.  There will be NO make-up lessons given for sports or other activities, including birthday parties or school events.  If you have a scheduling conflict, you may trade lesson times with another student.  I will provide each student with a lesson schedule including names and phone numbers.  It is your responsibility to arrange the trade with the other student, and then notify me of the change.  It is in your best interests not to miss your lessons at all.  However, please do not show up for a lesson if the student, parent or siblings are sick!  It endangers the health of both myself, other students and my family.    I am happy to give a make-up lesson due to contagious illness- one missed lesson on your part is much easier to make-up than the numerous lessons I miss when ill.  I reserve the right to send an ill or uncooperative student home.  There are NO make-up lessons for Flute Parties.

5.Practice-
All students are expected to maintain a regular practice schedule at home with their parent or parents.  Practice time should be equal to or greater than the length of your lesson per day.  (Example- A 30 minute lesson means at least 30 minutes practice per day.)  Please plan on practicing at least 5 days per week.  In addition, regular listening to your Suzuki CD as well as to other flute CD's and classical music is required.  The more you listen, the faster you learn!  Parents, it is your responsibility to regularly play the CD's- at least one hour per day.  Consider playing the music in the car, over dinner time, etc.  Without consistent practice and listening, your child's progress will be delayed.  This is one of the most critical differences between Suzuki and traditional lessons.

6.Termination of Lessons-
If you wish to terminate your lessons, I require one month of paid advance notice.  If lessons are cancelled without a month=s notice, the next month=s tuition will still be due.  This is a month paid for, but taught at the discretion of the teacher; this extra month=s  pay enables me to replace the loss of income.  Students who transfer to another teacher without discussing it with me first will not be able to re-enroll.  I  reserve the right to terminate any student's lessons if there is a personality conflict, obvious lack of preparation, or lack of cooperation.

7.Siblings-
Please feel free to bring younger siblings to lessons if they are over age 4, or are able to sit QUIETLY  during the lesson.  There is an adjoining room with my children's toys available for siblings to play.  If your child uses this play room, please be courteous and careful with the toys.  Any broken items must be replaced.  Please clean up the room when you leave and make sure all toys are in the appropriate receptacles.  Please make sure your children keep toys with multiple pieces together and that they do not play with the noisy toys.  As the parent, it is your responsibility to be actively observing the lesson, not caring for another child.  It would be helpful for you to provide quiet activities for your other children to do, such as coloring books, Legos, etc...  I reserve the right to request that other arrangements be made for your other children during the lesson times.

 8.  Flute Parties-
There is no additional charge for Flute Parties.  Each child will be placed in an age and level appropriate group.  Please do not attend any Flute Party except for your own!  There will be at least one Flute Party every quarter.  The group class is an exciting part of the Suzuki process of learning.  It is a valuable time of social interaction, performance, ensemble practice,  theory training, and musicianship development.  It is to your advantage to be present at every Flute Party.  There will be NO make-up for missed Flute Parties.  If you cannot attend, please notify me in advance, (preferably 24 hours or more) so I know how many students to expect for the party.  Parent attendance at Flute Parties is optional, but helpful.  If you attend the Flute Party, please do NOT visit with other parents.

9.  Summer Lessons-
I highly recommend that all students continue to pursue their music lessons during the summer months.  It is invaluable for music training to be consistent.  If you will be on vacation during the summer, please notify me as soon as possible, and we will schedule a make-up lesson.  However, please note that there is only ONE make-up lesson per child during the summer.  If you choose not to continue your lessons during the summer, a  non-refundable deposit of $40.00 is required to hold a spot for you in the fall lesson schedule.  This $40.00 will be applied to your fall registration fee when you return for lessons.  If you do not pay the deposit, I cannot guarantee you a fall lesson time.  Students will be admitted on a space available basis.

10.  Recitals-
The entire studio will present two recitals per year.  All students will perform a polished piece from the Suzuki repertoire as a solo.  There may be group pieces or special ensembles as well.  Regular performance develops stage presence, musicality, build confidence, teaches concert etiquette and provides inspiration for all students.  Participation in the studio recitals is mandatory.  The first recital will be held in November or December and the second will be held in April or May.  Before each recital an entire studio dress rehearsal will be scheduled.  Attendance at this dress rehearsal is also mandatory.

11.  Graduation Recitals-
Each student upon completion of each Suzuki Flute Book will present a graduation recital.  This recital celebrates a major musical achievement and is a formal recognition of this achievement.  When needed, I will provide more details about planning and performing a graduation recital.

12. General Studio Rules-